Soups

Codonopsis, Hyacinth Bean, Lotus Seed, Euryale Seed & Loach Fish Soup

Traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen and stomach, supporting nutrient absorption, and improving appetite

In short: Codonopsis, Hyacinth Bean, Lotus Seed, Euryale Seed & Loach Fish Soup is a soup that Traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen and stomach, supporting nutrient absorption, and improving appetite. It is most often made for digestive wellness, children's wellness, everyday balance. Total time about 1 hr 20 min. Key ingredients: codonopsis root, lotus seeds, euryale seeds, ginger.

Prep
20 min
Cook
1 hr
Total
1 hr 20 min
Makes
1.2–1.5 L
Codonopsis, Hyacinth Bean, Lotus Seed, Euryale Seed & Loach Fish Soup

Why people make this soup

Loach fish (牛鳅鱼, niu qiu yu) is one of Nourilo’s favourite soup fish — clean in flavour and well suited to long, slow simmering. When you pan-fry the fish first and then simmer it slowly, the resulting broth is richly savoury, milky-white, and deeply warming. Paired with a classic combination of spleen-supporting Chinese herbs — codonopsis, lotus seeds, euryale seeds, and toasted hyacinth beans — the soup becomes one of the most complete digestive-support soups in the Cantonese repertoire. It works for the whole family: for children who seem to eat but never seem to grow, for adults whose stomachs feel perpetually tired, and for anyone whose absorption just seems off.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Lotus seeds · Randomized crossover trial, 10 participants · 2019
    Lotus seed meals had a low glycemic index (GI 21–51 across the lotus seed and adzuki bean meals), while several other starchy foods did not differ significantly from rice. Lotus seed's in vitro hydrolysis index was also lower than that of other test foods.Limitation: Only ten healthy participants and acute single-meal tests, so findings may not apply to people with diabetes or to long-term intake.PubMed 30875961
  • Ginger · Meta-analysis, 23 studies · 2022
    Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger studies
  • Red dates · Meta-analysis, 483 participants · 2025
    Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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